Beware menace of the cold callers

Anna Blyth • Published 5 Aug 2010 09:30

ELDERLY and vulnerable members of the public should be cautious of cold callers offering home security packages, warns North Ayrshire Council.

Local trading Standards have had to intervene and cancel over £150,000 worth of contracts that were agreed to by Ayrshire people who later felt they were misled and conned into financial agreeements after being called at home by private security firms.

SAS Fire and Security Systems Ltd and Crime Research UK sell security systems across the UK and Ayrshire consumers have reportedly been led to believe by representatives that these firms are working with the council and, or police to help reduce crime.

While they are not working with any of these agencies, the companies involved are alleged to indicate to potential customers that crime rates in their area are high and that their current security arrangements are insufficient. Offering to send a representative to residents' homes, it is claimed that the companies involved leave misled customers tied into contracts costing them thousands of pounds.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

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